"You look sad," Caitlin commented as Haley walked through the door to their tiny apartment, dropping all her stuff on the ground before plopping down onto the couch.
"Just tired," Haley said as she held her hand to her head, "I think I have a headache too."
"Not think, Haley, you know you have a headache," Caitlin said as she threw her a bottle of Aleve, "You look like you went through a mental war or something."
"Work was," she paused, looking for the right word, "Bad."
"Bad," Caitlin raised an eyebrow, "Something tells me that's a bit of an understatement."
"Someone kinda popped up unexpectedly," Haley sighed, "From my past. My boss is making me give them a tour of the city for the time being and I'm just really not dealing with the whole thing well."
She nodded, "I'm assuming this certain someone is an ex?"
Haley raised an eyebrow, "When did you get to be this insightful?"
"I was always this insightful," Caitlin laughed, "You just never noticed." Her brown eyes narrowed in worry when she saw that Haley didn't reply. A pensive look remained on her roomate's face and the worry began to build up inside her. "You wanna tell me what happened?" She cracked a smile, "I did a little grocery shopping today. We can talk about it over some Godiva ice cream."
"White Chocolate Rasberry?" Haley asked hopefully.
"Of course," Caitlin grinned before walking over the freezer and taking out the ice cream. She grabbed two spoons from the drawer before she sat down next to Haley on the couch. Handing her a spoon and opening the lid, she took a big bite before waiting for Haley to explain.
"You remember that guy I told you about, you know, the one from high school?"
"The guy you talked about that night I found you crying?" Caitlin asked softly, making sure to keep her voice comforting.
"Yeah, him," Haley said quietly before she cleared her throat, "She showed up at my work today."
"Oh my god," Caitlin's eyes got wide, "What did you do?"
"He's my boss's nephew."
"Him?" Caitlin asked in disbelief, "He's the one that you had to show around the city."
"Yep," Haley popped her lips before taking a bite of her ice cream. Godiva ice cream always solved all her problems and this time, it did make her feel a bit better but the effect just wasn't the same.
"It didn't go so well?"
"Not at first. Then," she stopped, finding herself at a lost for words.
"Then what?" Caitlin asked eagerly.
"Why are you so interested?"
Caitlin raised an eyebrow, "I work in a cubicle from 9 to 5. This is the most interesting my life gets. I mean, seriously. It's like some Hollywood drama. Romantic and mysterious love from the past suddenly appears and voila," she mocked gasped, "Drama ensues."
Haley shook her head, "Nice to know someone finds this all amusing."
"Oh, come on, lighten up. It was just a day and seriously, New York is huge. You're not gonna see him again."
"I just hope he doesn't show up at work again tomorrow."
"Your boss isn't that big of a dick," Caitlin said, reassuring Haley.
"Don't be too sure about that."
"Okay, even if he did. He's not staying here forever. He'll be out of your hair soon enough."
"I guess," Haley said, slightly pouting, "I just-"
"You just what?" Caitlin frowned when Haley remained quiet. "Hey, you can't just keep stopping mid sentence. Your devoted audience awaits for a resolution."
"There is no resolution, that's just it. It feels like this problem has been going on for 6 years. I mean, in college, I could never get him out of my head and finally, when I come here and gain my footing, he comes and just ruins it all. I can't go through all of this again," Haley said, her voice strained.
"He really did a number on you, didn't he?" Caitlin asked softly.
"Yeah," Haley admitted reluctantly, "he did and I know I'm making him sound like such an ass right now but it's really more of a two way thing."
"Sounds complicated."
"It was and I guess it still is," Haley looked down and played with her fingers, "Is it- Is it normal if I still have a thing for him? I mean, I feel myself drawn towards him. That's not right," she looked up at her roomate, "Right?"
Caitlin shrugged before smiling, "Hun, there's really no clear distinction between right and wrong. Whatever feels right to you, that's what's right."
"I think- I think I still might have feelings for him."
She looked surprised, "Even after 6 years and I'm assuming a major heartbreak?"
"Yeah, even after all of that. Believe me, I'd rather have it that I didn't have any feeling towards him but I can't help it. There's just something about him," Haley said sadly, "There always was just something about him."
"So, what's stopping you?" Caitlin asked curiously, "I mean, just go and give it a shot. If you still have a thing for him after 6 years, I'm pretty sure it's reciprocated."
"I doubt it."
"You're Haley James, sweets, everybody loves you," Caitlin said with a grin.
Haley smiled back and shook her head, "He has a girlfriend."
"So what?"
"What do you mean so what?"
"I mean, is this girl a steady girlfriend or is she just some random girl he hooked up with before he found the right one," she coughed dramatically, "You," cough, cough.
"You don't even know him," Haley paused, "Hell, you don't even know his name! What makes you so sure about all this?"
"Because I am Caitlin Monroe and I know all," she laughed, "I can tell. By the way you talk about him and the look in your eyes. I can tell."
"This is just me though, not him."
"Stop questioning everything, okay? Just trust me on this one."
"But, I'm probably never going to see him again," Haley bit her lower lip, "I'm not so sure that's such a bad thing."
"He sounds like someone who has a higher up status deal, right? I mean, if he's your boss's nephew then he's gotta be on the VIP lists."
"What's your point?"
"My point is, we'll hit some clubs tonight and go man searching."
"His name is Nathan."
"Okay, fine, we'll go Nathan searching," Caitlin said before getting to her feet.
"This feels stalkerish."
"It's not," Caitlin smiled, "It's just bumping into one another."
"Purposely."
"So?"
Haley paused, "This is wrong."
"What did I tell you about right and wrong?" Caitlin gave Haley an expectant look but saw the worry in her roomate's eyes. "Does it feel wrong?"
Haley was quiet for a few moments before she answered, "No, it doesn't."
--
"This place," Brooke let out a fake and heavy sigh, "Is disgusting."
Nathan rolled his eyes as Brooke latched on even harder to his arm as he walked through the club and to their table.
"I mean, you'd think the VIP section would be a little bit more, well, VIP- ish."
"It's one of the best clubs in New York," Nathan said as he placed his drink order.
"It doesn't seem like it," Brooke said distastefully as she ordered a martini. She sighed and shook her head, "I mean, seriously, look at that-"
"Brooke," Nathan said irritated, "Don't start, okay, just not today."
"Fine, grumpy," she pouted before sliding off the chair, "I'm going dancing, are you coming with?"
He shook his head and she rolled her eyes before walking down the stairs and onto the main dance floor.
Nathan sat in the corner, brooding. He couldn't get her out of his head.
It didn't seem right, the situation he was in and the way he was feeling. He had a sexy, wealthy, and gorgeous girlfriend who he was supposed to love. And yet, all he could seem to think about was the girl that he was supposed to have forgotten.
Haley James. The girl that was supposed to be for fun but turned out to be something more. She was the one that got away. And now, she was back in his life, making things more complicated beyond comprehension. And on some odd level, that comforted him.
She was back, that was all that mattered. But, he wasn't even supposed to want her to be back. She had broken his heart and he had broken hers. It ended in a disaster and who was to say that this time would be no different?
Besides, he had Brooke. That was supposed to be enough for him.
But, it wasn't.
--
"I can't believe you got us in," Haley laughed as they walked into the club.
"Hey, I can be quite convincing when I want to be," Caitlin said as she hooked her arm through Haley's. "Okay, let's go get our groove on."
Haley grinned at her cheesiness and shook her head, "Get out of the 80's already."
Bobbing her head to the music, Caitlin led Haley onto the dance floor as they began to dance, the tension and worries leaving their bodies. Caitlin danced a little closer to Haley and said into her ear, "Do you see him?"
Haley looked around before shaking her head, "I don't think he's here."
"Do you wanna stay or do you wanna leave?"
Haley felt a pull in her stomach as she looked up at the ceiling, yelling out, "I wanna stay." As she put her hands over her head, her body moved rhythmically to the music and she let the beat overtake her senses. So into the music, she never noticed a certain brunette standing in front of her before she was tapped on the shoulder. Opening her eyes, her mouth dropped in surprise, "Brooke?"
"Tutor girl?"
The nickname brought back many memories that Haley did not wish to relive. "What the hell are you doing here?" What the heck was going on? Was there some sort of high school reunion type of deal that she wasn't aware of?
"Dancing," Brooke said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "Haven't seen you in awhile. Not since-"
Haley stopped her before she could get any further, "Yeah, right, right."
Caitlin looked off into Haley's direction, her eyes not believing who it was, "Oh, my god, you're Brooke Davis."
Brooke looked disinterested, "Yeah?"
"The Victoria's Secret model," Caitlin provided before she looked her up and down, "I thought you'd be taller."
Brooke snorted in laughter before shaking her head, "I get that a lot but hey, at least you know my name. That's definitely different."
"I get bored and have little reading material so yeah, I'm caption girl," Caitlin said with a grin before asking, "So, are you in New York for a shoot or something?"
"No, I'm here with my boyfriend."
Caitlin simply nodded and continued the friendly conversation as Haley stood by, watching the two exchange words. She didn't feel left out. Caitlin had that personality that grabbed everyone's attention. And besides, a conversation with Brooke was the last thing that she wanted. The last words that Haley heard, though, that was what stuck the most in her mind.
Her boyfriend. Brooke Davis's boyfriend. With Haley's luck, it might as well be Nathan Scott.
But, it couldn't have been. Because, the powers above couldn't hate her that much.
Haley snapped back to reality as Brooke laughed at something Caitlin said.
"You're funny, you know," Brooke said as she walked off of the main dance floor.
"Thanks, that's what I'm here for. Amusement."
"You guys wanna come up to the VIP section. It's a little less crowded."
"Sure," Caitlin jumped at the offer before Haley could reject it. She held onto Haley's hand before giving her an excited smile.
Haley smiled limply before she followed the two brunettes up the stairs and onto the VIP floor. She looked around the small upper level floor, slightly impressed with the decoration. It was stylishly done but not overly lavish.
Clearing her throat, Haley looked up in shock as Brooke introduced her boyfriend.
"Ladies," Brooke sent Haley a satisfied smirk, "This is Nathan."
--
"Nathan," Caitlin said with a smile before her eyes strayed over to Haley. The look on her face could only be described as a shocked yet resolved expression, "Nathan," she said with slight confusion in her voice before realization finally hit her. "Oh," she said softly, "Nathan."
"Yeah, that is my name," Nathan said with a raised eyebrow as he glanced up at Caitlin, never sparing her another look, his eyes focusing in on Brooke, "Who is this?"
He never saw Haley.
Haley tried her best to hide behind Caitlin as she inched her way back further and further into the the darkness, maybe she could meld in with the wall and then make a run for it. Goodness knew she didn't want to face the upcoming confrontation.
"A friend of a little someone from our past," Brooke said with a devious smile. "You'll never believe who I just saw and who's here with us right now," she looked up at Haley and frowned when she saw her inching away, "Tutor girl! Where are you going?"
Haley cleared her throat and let out a heavy sigh, "It's Haley, Brooke," she said with slight irritation in her voice, "Haley."
"Right, okay," she said, disinterested. She looked back at Nathan, relishing in the uncomfortable look on his face. That's what he deserved. Stupid jerk. "Isn't this fun?" She cooed.
"Fun," Nathan repeated, angered at the audacity of Brooke's actions. True, he had just spent an entire day in Haley's presence but that was work, simple, cold, and unfeeling. At least, it was supposed to be. This was outside of work where Nathan no longer had any hold over her.
In short, he was worried as to what she would do. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she was unstable at the moment, worried, confused, and surprisingly enough, pained as well.
"I don't want to be here," Haley whispered to Caitlin as she tugged on her arm.
Caitlin looked back at Haley, noticing the uncomfortable stature of Haley's position and tried the best to lighten the mood, "So, this is, umm, tense. Maybe, we should just leave."
"No," Nathan said, his voice cold, "Stay."
Stay? Nathan questioned himself on his words as soon as they slipped from his mouth. He wanted her to leave, didn't he? It would've been an easy fix to everything but in truth, he really didn't. Once she left, Haley would be gone.. again and perhaps forever. Maybe their meeting up was more then a coincidence, maybe it was supposed to mean something more.
He didn't know. He was always more of a realist so this territory of fate and destiny was unfamiliar with him.
"We should umm," Haley said, biting the inside of her lip, "Leave, as in now." She tugged on Caitlin's arm again.
"Oh, come on, the party's just getting started," Brooke said with a grin, clearly enjoying the tension between everyone.
Caitlin raised an eyebrow at her words. This girl was not what she expected. Her protective instincts kicking in, she stood slightly in front of Haley and said, "Look, it's night and I don't know about you but I sure as hell don't wanna spend my free time in a tense atmosphere. We're at a club, the point in coming here is to enjoy yourself and dance. I don't see any of us doing either."
Haley silently thanked Caitlin as she nodded, forcing herself to be stronger. She was not going to revert back to her old ways again. The old, shy and naive Haley was dead and gone. She was stronger now and more confident.
At least, that's what she told herself.
Brooke laughed lightly at her response, "Okay, geez, back down Ms. Overprotective. I'm cool with dancing," she looked back at her boyfriend, "Nate?"
Nathan simply nodded as he got to his feet, pushing past Haley and Caitlin, following Brooke down the stairs.
Caitlin merely looked back at Haley and gave her a small smile, "Now I know what all the fuss is about. Though, he could do well with an attitude change."
"That's Nathan," Haley said as she sighed, walking down the stairs behind Caitlin, "He almost never puts down his defenses."
"Yeah, I can tell," she eyed the 'happy' couple on the dance floor, their bodies gyrating together roughly, "Look, it's like vertical sex."
Haley laughed out loud at Caitlin's sudden comment, "I was just thinking that."
"See, that's the thing with you. I mean, we both think it but I seem to be the only one who has the balls to say it," Caitlin said as she led Haley onto the dance floor, the two moving to the beat in sync.
"I guess it's an old habit. Can you tell I was self conscious in high school?"
"Was?" Caitlin asked, giving Haley a 'oh, come on' look.
"Shut up," She grinned as she bobbed her head to the music and began lose herself in the beat.
"What do you say we forget about the exhibitionists over there," Caitlin cocked her head towards Nathan and Brooke, "And, we hook up with some hotties."
"That sounds great," Haley said, only slightly sarcastic, "But, umm, where are these hotties to be found?"
"Just let me work my magic," Caitlin said as she moved her hips a little more obviously and sidled up to a group of guys.
Haley only laughed at her movements, the problems with Brooke and Nathan fading to the back of her mind. Moments later, Caitlin bounced up to Haley, a bulky piece of eye candy on each arm.
"Haley, this is Brian and Josh," her eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Oh," Haley said, her heart telling her this was wrong but after another glance at Brooke and Nathan and how they were practically devouring each other on the dance floor, Haley linked her arm through Brian's and led him away from Caitlin as she began dancing with the other.
"So, you're Hilary?" Brian yelled over the pounding music as they began dancing.
Haley simply laughed and shook her head, "It's Haley," she yelled back, having a hard time hearing over the music.
"Bailey?"
"Haley," she screamed back, laughing as she did so.
"Oh, gotcha," Brian said as he wrapped his arms around her waist, "You're a beautiful girl, Haley."
She simply nodded, knowing not the take the compliment to heart. Guys like him were all the same and she had been with the king of sweet words. Charms and fake compliments no longer had any effect on her.
Except when they came from Nathan. He was her soft spot in almost every aspect. He was 6 years ago and somehow, he still was.
Lost in the music and comfortable with having strong arms around her, Haley never noticed how Nathan's eyes narrowed at the sight of Haley with another guy. Nathan had never actually seen with his own eyes, Haley with another guy. Sure, he expected that after their breakup, she would've moved on and dated but thinking and seeing were two completely different things. His male instincts kicked in as every part of his being screamed out, 'she's mine'.
But, she wasn't.
She was no longer his. She was her own now. He didn't have her anymore.
He had Brooke. He looked down at his girlfriend and watched as she pawed at his chest. While before, that might've been attractive, now it only disgusted him. She was no longer what he wanted.
Maybe, she never was.
He knew what he was thinking about her was cruel, especially since he was equally matching her movements, right on beat. But, that was at the back of his mind. Right now, he didn't want Brooke. He wanted Haley.
Nathan Scott always got what he wanted.
He moved away from Brooke slightly and she barely noticed as she began dancing on her own before another guy wrapped his arms around his girlfirend.
That should've bothered him or at least set something off, but it didn't.
Nathan began pushing through the crowds, an almost animalistic craving in his eyes. Haley opened her eyes, Brian's arms still wrapped around her as she saw Nathan coming towards her. The intensity made her breath come short as she suddenly felt like prey being hunted, but in an utterly hot and arousing sort of way.
It was dirty and wrong, yet so good and sexy at the same time. A small smile came onto her face as the good times of the past filled her senses. This was now. This was Nathan.
She moved away from Brian and he simply turned away as she met Nathan halfway.
They didn't touch. They simply just stood in the middle of the dance floor, looking at each other.
He placed his hand gently on her hips, his fingers caressing the skin exposed as they slowly moved to their own smooth and slowly seductive beat.
They were lost in each other.
--
Brooke didn't notice Nathan's absence at first. But, when she finally snapped to reality and saw that the person she had been bumping and grinding with for the past 10 minutes, wasn't her boyfriend, she was disgusted.
And pissed. Really pissed.
Pushing the random guy away with an outraged scoff, she turned around, her eyes scanning for her jerk of a boyfriend. She didn't know why she let him treat her like the way he did. I mean, sure, being treated like a sex object, she had gotten used to. But, the lack of respect he had towards her, that just drove her insane.
It was like she was Peyton.
Except, older and now he was colder and harsher with his actions. She should've just left him. She was a lingerie model for goodness sakes, she could get whoever she damn well wanted. But, she didn't want anyone else, that was the point.
She loved him. And, sometimes she thought that would kill a part of her. But, it was like she was addicted to Nathan and his verbally abusive ways. She liked his games and she liked the attention she got from him. He was this craving she couldn't control.
A dark craving.
Brooke had promised herself that after her first, truly bad experience with a guy, she wouldn't let herself go down this winding and rocky path again.. but here she was. Stuck again.
Just like it was with Lucas.
She pushed her way through the crowd as she looked around for Nathan. Finally spotting him, or his back rather, she walked a little faster, a long and enduring lecture already forming in her mind. She squeezed him on the shoulder, focusing her eyes only on him, she demanded, "What the hell? You just leave me alone with some random," her eyes travelled down his arm and she noticed how his hand was firmly attached to someone's hip. Haley's hip, "Guy," she finished, slightly defeated. Anger roared in her eyes as she asked, "What the hell is going on?"
"Brooke," Nathan said, annoyed, "Don't start."
"No, Nathan, I will," she said, her voice irritated, "I will not let you throw me around like some little rag doll. I'm not your bitch."
"No, right now, you're just being a bitch," he retorted as his hands tightened around Haley's hip.
Feeling like the third wheel, Haley moved away slightly only to have Nathan hold onto her tighter. This wasn't good. This was way too personal. The fight they were having right now, shouldn't have involved her. She shouldn't be in this. She shouldn't feel like the other woman. Because, she wasn't.
Right?
"Screw you, Nathan," Brooke spat as she turned around and walked off the main dancefloor.
Nathan turned back to Haley, his eyes focused on her as he tried to get her to dance again but she merely stood there, not following along.
"What now?" He asked.
"How could you-" she paused, at a loss for words. Finally regaining her voice, she asked, "How could you treat her like that?"
"It's just Brooke, she doesn't care."
Haley scoffed, "I think it's pretty obvious that she cares a whole hell of a lot. And, Brooke is your girlfriend." She raised an eyebrow, "At some point in your life that actually meant something to you."
"It meant something to me when the girlfriend was you," he said, a small smirk on his face.
Disgusted, Haley moved out of his reach and shook her head, "You haven't changed. God, what makes you think you can treat people like this?"
"Oh, not you too," he rolled his eyes.
"Yes, me too."
"Haley, we were having fun. Let's just leave it at that. Don't flatter yourself by thinking it was something more," he said coldly, lashing back.
Her eyes narrowed at his words, "You know what, I'm tired of this. I don't belong to you and right now, you have no control over me. I don't need to listen to this." She began to walk away when Nathan grabbed her on the arm.
"Haley, wait-" his voice softened as he realized for once, someone didn't want to put up with his bullshit.
"No," she struggled against him, "I will not wait."
"Haley," his grip tightened on her arm, "I'm sorry, okay?"
"It's not okay, Nathan," her eyes on his as her voice got harsher, "It will never be okay. I'm just the fool who thought it might be but it's pretty damn obvious that you haven't changed. Sorry doesn't cut it, Nathan. Don't expect someone to just fall at your feet everytime you utter that word."
"What do you want from me?" He asked, his hand still on her arm.
"Nothing," she spat, "I want nothing from you."
He laughed before shaking his head, "So, this is how it's going to work? The brave and confident Haley James giving me, the arrogant and ultimate bastard Nathan Scott the brush off. Is that what helps you sleep at night, Haley?" He leaned in closer, "Telling yourself that it was all my fault and that you were the naive little girl that I dragged in?" He took his hand off her arm, "Fine, keep telling everyone that. I really could care less but you know the truth as well as I do. That's the important thing. You can lie to everyone else and make them believe that you're innocent but we both know the truth," he cocked his head to the side, "Don't we?"
Haley stared at him, the tears stinging her eyes as she stood silent and in shock. Before she could stop herself, her hand came up and slapped him clear across the cheek.
He held his cheek and still managed to smirk evilly, "Truth's a bitch, isn't it?"
"Go to hell," Haley said venomously as she turned away, pushing the tears down as she struggled to find Nathan.
He simply stood there, still holding his cheek, the smirk quickly fading as she walked away. A stoney appearance was plastered onto his face as the stinging in his heart overcame his entire body.
He shouldn't have done that.